YREKA – A school bus carrying one first grade student was struck by a juvenile motorist Monday on Fairlane Road a half mile south of the fairgrounds, stated Nick Black, California Highway Patrol (CHP) public information officer. No injuries were reported and no charges have been filed.

The bus is owned by Dole Transportation, a company under contract with the Yreka Union School District (YUSD), stated YUSD Superintendent Dave Parsons.

According to Black, the incident occurred at 3:54 p.m. The bus had come to a stop and the driver activated the lights to unload the child at a bus stop. The bus driver saw a vehicle approaching from behind, and directed the child to remain seated.

A 17-year-old male (whose name is not being released by the CHP) traveling in a 2000 Hyundai sedan reportedly struck the rear of the bus, causing the bus to lurch 30 feet forward, stated Black.

In addition to the CHP, personnel from the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, Yreka Fire Department, South Yreka Fire Department and CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) responded to the scene.

Black explained that the teen told officials he was traveling at a speed of 40 miles per hour and was distracted at the time of the collision because he was reaching for a drink.

Alcohol was not determined to be a factor in the collision.

"I don't know if charges will be filed," said Black. "The incident is still under investigation. No injuries were claimed by anybody."

Parsons stated that Dole Transportation followed the collision procedure outlined in the contract.

He explained that when a school bus is involved in a collision, the board of trustees and parents are notified. Parsons noted that in this case, the child's parent was on scene.